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tida_ketchup
12:25am, 15 February 2011
Hi everyone,
I have a Canon Speedlite 430EX II. I use it with Canon Rebel T1i. I don't really know a lot about using an external flash, I'm just an amateur I must say. I just always have it on automatic mode and the results are fine (at least for me) but lately I've been having trouble with it.
It overexposes the images to the point that it's almost white already =/ I noticed that it happens when it's on TTL mode. I don't really know why it always says TTL now. Before, when I would turn the flash on, it always said ETTL unless I press the mode button to switch it to manual (which I never really used anyway).
Anyway, I read the instruction manual and according to what I read, supposedly when I turn on the flash it should be on ETTL mode, which is not the case for me. And according to the manual, pressing the mode button switches it between ETTL and Manual modes, but mine is just Manual and TTL. But for some reason, sometimes my flash goes on ETTL mode but I don't know how it changed to ETTL. (And while it's on that mode, I grab that chance to take pictures because the exposure on that mode is normal, not over- or underexposed.)
But usually it's on TTL mode = overexposed images =( I don't know why it's like that. It was working fine before and was exposing the images properly. I didn't really do anything or press anything. I just turn it on and off, that's it. I don't really change the settings. I'm not sure why it's like that when it wasn't like that in the beginning.
I hope someone here can enlighten me. I've been looking for solutions online but can't find anything. I just wanna know if there's a setting I need to change (or what should I do to put it on ETTL mode in the first place, so I don't have to wait for it to magically go on ETTL mode) or if my flash is broken and needs to be sent in for repair.
Thank you in advance for any help you could give.
I have a Canon Speedlite 430EX II. I use it with Canon Rebel T1i. I don't really know a lot about using an external flash, I'm just an amateur I must say. I just always have it on automatic mode and the results are fine (at least for me) but lately I've been having trouble with it.
It overexposes the images to the point that it's almost white already =/ I noticed that it happens when it's on TTL mode. I don't really know why it always says TTL now. Before, when I would turn the flash on, it always said ETTL unless I press the mode button to switch it to manual (which I never really used anyway).
Anyway, I read the instruction manual and according to what I read, supposedly when I turn on the flash it should be on ETTL mode, which is not the case for me. And according to the manual, pressing the mode button switches it between ETTL and Manual modes, but mine is just Manual and TTL. But for some reason, sometimes my flash goes on ETTL mode but I don't know how it changed to ETTL. (And while it's on that mode, I grab that chance to take pictures because the exposure on that mode is normal, not over- or underexposed.)
But usually it's on TTL mode = overexposed images =( I don't know why it's like that. It was working fine before and was exposing the images properly. I didn't really do anything or press anything. I just turn it on and off, that's it. I don't really change the settings. I'm not sure why it's like that when it wasn't like that in the beginning.
I hope someone here can enlighten me. I've been looking for solutions online but can't find anything. I just wanna know if there's a setting I need to change (or what should I do to put it on ETTL mode in the first place, so I don't have to wait for it to magically go on ETTL mode) or if my flash is broken and needs to be sent in for repair.
Thank you in advance for any help you could give.
chairmanmiaow1
13 years ago
I literally just got my 430 EX ii and have been using it with my Canon 350d - exactly the same problem almost immediately. It took about five photos with correct exposure before going awry. Very frustrating. Please help us!
smiling join [deleted]
13 years ago
It's not a settings issue.
For some reason the flash thinks you're using a "Type B" camera - one that uses TTL or A-TTL - rather than a "Type A" camera - that supports E-TTL or E-TTL II.
You're not though, Type B cameras are all film cameras except for the two Kodak digital back cameras.
I can only guess that it hasn't been mounted properly (so the pins aren't all making contact with the right place), the flash isn't aligned properly with the shoe (as in the parts are wrong/broken, rather than the flash not being attached properly by the user) or there's a loose connection inside the flash.
As your camera isn't actually TTL the flash is probably firing at full power at all times which is why you're getting overexposure.
I suspect it'll have to pay a visit to Canon for repair.
For some reason the flash thinks you're using a "Type B" camera - one that uses TTL or A-TTL - rather than a "Type A" camera - that supports E-TTL or E-TTL II.
You're not though, Type B cameras are all film cameras except for the two Kodak digital back cameras.
I can only guess that it hasn't been mounted properly (so the pins aren't all making contact with the right place), the flash isn't aligned properly with the shoe (as in the parts are wrong/broken, rather than the flash not being attached properly by the user) or there's a loose connection inside the flash.
As your camera isn't actually TTL the flash is probably firing at full power at all times which is why you're getting overexposure.
I suspect it'll have to pay a visit to Canon for repair.
scott.wright61
12 years ago
For most of my flash photography, whether using my 580 or 430, I set the camera in M mode, set the ISO at 400, and the shutter at around 125/sec.
I then set the flash in M mode as well and the output down to 1/4 or 1/2. Now you are asking why????
Once you set things up like this you're ready to go with about anything. If you don't plain on creating prints larger than 8X10 you will get great quaility with the higher ISO. As for the shutter and aprature, you will need to do a little practicing. As I said, start at around 125/sec. Then take a guess at what the aprature needs to be. (You will have a good idea after some practice.)
You are at the family's Christmas morning gettogether. Your camera is all set up with the aprature at aound 5.6 to 8. Snap the first picutre and check the exif histogram for exposure. If over exposed close down the aperature a little, or alot, depending on how overexposed you were. If under exposed just do the opposite by opening the aperature a certain amount. Within the first couple of pictures you will know instinctively how much to adjust the lens opening dependiing on distance from subject, ambient light, and light or dark colored clothing or table clothes.
I know this sounds like alot in this explanation, but once I got it down after taking a event photography class with a pro, it turns out to be easy.
By the way? Why did I set my flashes power output down to 1/4, or 1/2 max? Because, since you upped the ISO to 400, you don't need all that power going throught the flash, and therefore you won't miss that wonderful picture late in the morning while the kids are playing with their new toys all because your flash batteries just went dead. 1/4 power output roughly equates to the flash taking about 4x the number of pictures.
You don't have to be very intelligent to be a good photographer, but you do need to practice, practice, and practice to know the camera and equipment.
Hope this helps, and didn't confuse.
I then set the flash in M mode as well and the output down to 1/4 or 1/2. Now you are asking why????
Once you set things up like this you're ready to go with about anything. If you don't plain on creating prints larger than 8X10 you will get great quaility with the higher ISO. As for the shutter and aprature, you will need to do a little practicing. As I said, start at around 125/sec. Then take a guess at what the aprature needs to be. (You will have a good idea after some practice.)
You are at the family's Christmas morning gettogether. Your camera is all set up with the aprature at aound 5.6 to 8. Snap the first picutre and check the exif histogram for exposure. If over exposed close down the aperature a little, or alot, depending on how overexposed you were. If under exposed just do the opposite by opening the aperature a certain amount. Within the first couple of pictures you will know instinctively how much to adjust the lens opening dependiing on distance from subject, ambient light, and light or dark colored clothing or table clothes.
I know this sounds like alot in this explanation, but once I got it down after taking a event photography class with a pro, it turns out to be easy.
By the way? Why did I set my flashes power output down to 1/4, or 1/2 max? Because, since you upped the ISO to 400, you don't need all that power going throught the flash, and therefore you won't miss that wonderful picture late in the morning while the kids are playing with their new toys all because your flash batteries just went dead. 1/4 power output roughly equates to the flash taking about 4x the number of pictures.
You don't have to be very intelligent to be a good photographer, but you do need to practice, practice, and practice to know the camera and equipment.
Hope this helps, and didn't confuse.
sebring_ca
12 years ago
I use a 430 EX II on the T1i with no issues. My guess is check your speed. If it is being lowered to keep it below synch, you will over expose every time. When using flash I always use the camera in manual mode with a speed of less than 1/200. Although most times I use the flash in manual with wireless controls.
LayerMask
12 years ago
Hi Guys,
This thread is 9months old and DazJW got the answer right.
On a recent body, if an Ex unit is set to ETTL but it spontaneously reverts to TTL showing on its screen (as per the OP's description) then there is a contact problem - probably at the hot-shoe interface.
This thread is 9months old and DazJW got the answer right.
On a recent body, if an Ex unit is set to ETTL but it spontaneously reverts to TTL showing on its screen (as per the OP's description) then there is a contact problem - probably at the hot-shoe interface.
alert sink [deleted]
Posted 11 years ago. Edited by alert sink (member) 11 years ago
Flash photography works on the holy triangle as per Bryan Peterson.
1. Aperture
2. ISO
3. Flash to subject distance (not camera to subject)
P.S - Shutter speed has nothing to do with Flash exposure. Shutter speed only affects the ambient light
Manual setting
-------------------
Once you set the aperture and ISO to match the camera's all you need to take care of is that you are at the right flash to subject distance range as mentioned in your flash unit.
Almost certainly you would rightly expose your subject.
If you'll are interested Bryan Peterson's book on Flash photography is quite a good read!
Regards
Jim
1. Aperture
2. ISO
3. Flash to subject distance (not camera to subject)
P.S - Shutter speed has nothing to do with Flash exposure. Shutter speed only affects the ambient light
Manual setting
-------------------
Once you set the aperture and ISO to match the camera's all you need to take care of is that you are at the right flash to subject distance range as mentioned in your flash unit.
Almost certainly you would rightly expose your subject.
If you'll are interested Bryan Peterson's book on Flash photography is quite a good read!
Regards
Jim
peter.legisa
10 years ago
Connect the flash to your EOS camera, find in the camera menu "Flash control", under it "Clear ext. flash C.Fn set." Confirm. It worked for me.
Dan Goorevitch
9 years ago
I have the opposite problem. On TTL, the flash works perfectly, especially if I press the FEL button before shooting. If there's too much light, I dial it back to underexpose. It's in manual that I get everything blown out, even reduced to 1/64th the output. I can't understand it.
Dan Goorevitch
9 years ago
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/abey238/] Jim Abraham:
Thanks, Jim, I've placed a hold for that at the library.
Bryan Peterson's book on Flash photography
Thanks, Jim, I've placed a hold for that at the library.
Poza Proza
9 years ago
but mine is just Manual and TTL. But for some reason, sometimes my flash goes on ETTL mode
Clean the contacts
Event DV
Posted 6 years ago. Edited by Event DV (member) 6 years ago
I have the Canon Speedlite 430EX II for years and have not really started using it until about a month ago. Talk about frustration! I use it in ETTL mode and the photos (mostly) turn out way over exposed.
Yesterday, the frustration spilled over and I starting thinking, as a photographer I STINK! I can't control the gear and to get it to do what I want it to do.
So, I'm getting ready to go to sleep and I listen to podcasts: I'm catching up on a older version of TWIP, episode 483, Sep 29, 2016. And I kid you not: Steve Brazill at the 1:07:40 mark (on the youtube video) says "ETTL on that flash is useless, it's the worst thing on earth." I"M NOT CRAZY AFTER ALL!
I think I'll be upgrading to the speedlite 600EX or better. The only question I have is should I keep the 430EXii as a second flash and will it listen to the master flash?
youtu.be/540JU8eeLNE?t=4060
Yesterday, the frustration spilled over and I starting thinking, as a photographer I STINK! I can't control the gear and to get it to do what I want it to do.
So, I'm getting ready to go to sleep and I listen to podcasts: I'm catching up on a older version of TWIP, episode 483, Sep 29, 2016. And I kid you not: Steve Brazill at the 1:07:40 mark (on the youtube video) says "ETTL on that flash is useless, it's the worst thing on earth." I"M NOT CRAZY AFTER ALL!
I think I'll be upgrading to the speedlite 600EX or better. The only question I have is should I keep the 430EXii as a second flash and will it listen to the master flash?
youtu.be/540JU8eeLNE?t=4060
Flash photography has unfortunately, always been my weakest point and it's always a hit-or-miss result for me. For the record, I own only two strobe units: the Speedlite 430EX II and the compact 270EX II and I very seldom use either of them, except for the occasional event photography.
For my 430EX II, I always set the flash exposure compensation (FEC) to -2 EV or -3 EV as leaving it at "0" (no compensation) usually results in overexposure, especially if the subject is too close to the flash unit. Reducing the flash output works for me and I've been following this practice this since I owned this flash back in 2009.
I usually shoot in Av or P mode with the 430EX II on E-TTL II flash metering as Manual exposure mode with flash takes too long to get it right, and the people that pose candidly for me don't have the patience to wait as I fiddle with the camera and flash settings. :-(
Have no idea about the Speedlite 600EX metering correctly in E-TTL II mode as mentioned in that YouTube video conference; and Steve didn't make any remarks about the older but more powerful 580EX II either. Does this imply that only the 430EX II has E-TTL II flash metering problems, but not the 580EX II?
Yes, I think you should keep your 430EX II as a slave flash if you don't wish to use it as your main, hot-shoe mounted unit. AFAIK, the 580EX/EX II and 600EX/EX II can be used as master flashes.
I don't know which EOS dSLR(s) that you have, but Canon EOS cameras that can trigger the 430EX II wirelessly as a slave unit (not RF wireless though) include the EOS 7D, 7D Mark II, 60D, 70D, 80D, 77D, 600D (T3i), 650D (T4i), 700D (T5i), 750D (T6i), 760D (T6s) and the 800D (T7i).
You might also want to go through this interesting post on the behavior of Speedlite flashes in different exposure modes. :o)
sambasanchez
4 years ago
Direct Answer: Maybe a cable just got loose. Use a tiny screwdriver and remove the four (4) screws by the hotshoe connection. Once opened make sure the five cables are connected to the pin. In my case one was out (yellow) and Obviously that pin was not connected.
Long Answer: After extensive search online all forums were leading to send it to canon, or make sure your EOS Camera had the Flash Control > Firing > Enable. If this setting is disable the camera the flash will only work in TTL mode. I never called canon to see how much it would cost, but from other posts it was about 75 EU. So I thought, if I'm gooing to Pay that much I will at least try to find what's going on. So I did remove the screws and right there it was, Yellow cable was out. Now, I dont know how to solder but it wont cost me $10 to fix that. If you want to carry just the hotshoe part you can deatach The hotshoe from the flash by unplugging the connector.
I hope this saves time and money to some people
Best of luck!
Long Answer: After extensive search online all forums were leading to send it to canon, or make sure your EOS Camera had the Flash Control > Firing > Enable. If this setting is disable the camera the flash will only work in TTL mode. I never called canon to see how much it would cost, but from other posts it was about 75 EU. So I thought, if I'm gooing to Pay that much I will at least try to find what's going on. So I did remove the screws and right there it was, Yellow cable was out. Now, I dont know how to solder but it wont cost me $10 to fix that. If you want to carry just the hotshoe part you can deatach The hotshoe from the flash by unplugging the connector.
I hope this saves time and money to some people
Best of luck!